Kamara and Thomas set to go Sunday

The Saints activated running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas for the team’s playoff game Sunday against the Bears.

Kamara missed the regular-season finale last Sunday because of COVID-19 protocols, while Thomas was on injured reserve for the final three games because of a nagging ankle injury.

The Saints also announced Saturday that wide receiver/return specialist Deonte Harris and cornerback Patrick Robinson were activated from injured reserve; wide receiver Jake Kumerow was waived; offensive lineman Nick Easton was placed on IR; and linebacker Chase Hansen and wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey were elevated from the practice squad.

Kamara led the Saints in yards rushing (932) and yards receiving (756) in 15 games. He also set Saints records for TDs rushing in a season with 15 and total TDs in a season with 21. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list last week after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Thomas, the 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year, has missed nine games this season because of the ankle issues but returned to practice this week. He had 40 catches for 438 yards and no touchdowns in seven games during the regular season.

Bears will be without Mooney, Smith vs.

Saints: Bears have ruled out leading tackler Roquan Smith and second-leading receiver Darnell Mooney for their wild card game against the Saints on Sunday.

They were injured in the regular season finale against the Packers and did not practice during the week.

Smith injured his left elbow and Mooney suffered an ankle injury after setting career highs with 11 catches for 93 yards.

Smith’s injury leaves the Bears without a disruptive force at inside linebacker and makes containing the Saints much more difficult, particularly with star running back Alvin Kamara activated after missing last week’s win over Carolina because of COVID-19 concerns. Smith had a career-high 139 tackles and ranked second in the league with 18 tackles for loss.

The Bears also activated linebacker Manti Te’o and defensive back Marqui Christian from the practice squad on Saturday.

Steelers getting reinforcements: The Steelers activated linebacker Robert Spillane and guard Matt Feiler from injured reserve on Saturday.

Spillane, who took the place of Devin Bush when he was injured in the Week 6 matchup against the Browns, has been a major factor in stopping the run — something that will be especially important against Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Spillane, who has 39 solo tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pick-six, helps fortify an inside linebacker position that was down to just three healthy players at the end of the regular season.

On the line, Feiler is expected to replace rookie guard Kevin Dotson, who’s been holding down the position since Feiler’s pectoral injury.

ESPN doubles down on MegaCasts for the NFL playoffs: ESPN’s MegaCast treatment during the College Football Playoff is among their most ambitious productions during the year.

The network is doubling down though by expanding it to the NFL playoffs. Sunday’s NFL wild-card game between the Ravens and Titans begins the first of two straight days of MegaCasts. Monday’s matchup between Alabama and Ohio State will receive the immersive treatment for the seventh straight year.

Stephanie Druley, ESPN’s executive vice president for event and studio production, said the MegaCasts allow ESPN to expand their audience while serving as a testing lab for different production elements. It has also allowed them to identify future commentators during their “Film Room” broadcasts.

Two “MegaCasts” in less than 36 hours creates plenty of production challenges.

“The biggest challenge would have been if both games were in the same stadium. The second biggest is what we ended up with,” Druley said. “We have our best people on both games. ESPN does a lot and people expect that. You look at the bulk of what is going on and it is incredible.”

The NFL game — which will have a MegaCast for the first time — will see coverage across six Disney networks. The traditional broadcast will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC with a Spanish-language feed on ESPN Deportes. ESPN2 will do the “Film Room” and Freeform will air a watch party, featuring a halftime performance by DJ Khaled.

The Freeform broadcast is similar to the watch party that aired on ESPN2 during the Saints-Raiders Monday night game this season. All three of Sunday’s playoff games are getting some sort of extra treatment. Besides the the MegaCast, the 4:40 p.m. EST game between the Bears and Saints on CBS will be simulcast on Nickelodeon and be geared toward kids. The 8:15 p.m. nightcap between the Browns and Steelers on NBC will also air on Telemundo and stream on Peacock.